No. An employee's "eligibility" for telework does not automatically confer the right or the obligation for an employee to "participate" in telework. Agencies have discretion to make their own eligibility and participation determinations for employees subject to operational needs while considering the specific requirements of the Act. The fact that an employee may be deemed "eligible" does not mean that the employee can be compelled to "participate" because telework is a voluntary workplace flexibility. In other words, an agency may not compel an employee to telework, even if the duties of the position make that employee "telework eligible." Keep in mind that although entering into a telework arrangement is voluntary, once the employee is under such an arrangement, he/she may be required to telework outside of his/her normal telework schedule in the case of a temporary emergency situation if that understanding has been clearly communicated by the agency to the teleworking employee in the written telework agreement.

The telework agreement provides the framework for the discussion that needs to take place between the manager and the employee about expectations. For all types of telework, this discussion is important to ensure that managers and employees understand one another’s expectations concerning maintaining communication with the office and what will be done to meet contingencies. If the teleworker is needed, he/she may be asked to come into the office on a scheduled telework day.
If the employee is required to come into the office, the telework agreement should outline the expectation regarding the amount of notice (if any) should be given for reporting to the official worksite, and how such notice will be provided. For further information, please consult your agency telework policy.

No. In fact, the Act does not define what is meant by the term "interactive," thereby leaving it subject to interpretation. OPM has always considered the "Telework 101" training on Telework.gov (and therefore, online) to meet the definition of "interactive" in that there is a built-in opportunity for the trainee to self-assess his/her understanding through the use of frequent questions and answers and progress checks throughout. For this reason, we maintain that the training currently on Telework.gov meets the requirement of the law. In 2011, OPM engaged a vendor to enhance this training in a number of ways, including both substance and format. This is being accomplished keeping in mind improved "interactivity" through the selective use of media tools that will make the training more engaging for employees. However, OPM's interpretation is that there is no requirement that this training be instructor-led as compared to computer or Internet-based.

The Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 (Act) requires that each Executive agency designate a Telework Managing Officer (TMO). Before the law was passed, most agencies fulfilled the day-to-day operational aspects of telework through a telework coordinator (with telework coordinators at the subagency level). The telework coordinator served as the key contact for policy and program questions. Many coordinators, however, had telework as a collateral responsibility without much authority or contact with senior leaders. The Act requires the TMO to assume these duties as the main agency official on telework matters. The TMO is a senior official of the agency, established within the office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO), or its equivalent, and who has direct access to the head of the agency. Note that he or she does not need to be the CHCO. The important thing is that the position be given direct access to the head of the agency. We believe it is the intent of this legislation that the TMO be a strategic thinker and planner who will help the agency incorporate telework in a way that makes good business sense.
The TMO is responsible for policy development and implementation related to telework programs; serves as an advisor to agency leadership; and is the primary point of contact with OPM on telework matters. In addition to making telework an integral way of doing business in the agency, the TMO will be responsible for helping with the development of goals and metrics in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. In designating a TMO, agencies should look for the same leadership competencies and high standards they would consider in selecting for any leadership position.

The certificate is accessed at the completion of the Employee Telework 101 Module 5 – Game. Simply go to the end of Module 5 and you will come to the dialog box that reads: Certificate of Completion. You should then be able to fill out your information and print the certificate. If that does not work, another option is to try this link to print your certificate.

A successful telework program can improve organizational efficiency, raise the quality and quantity of work, boost employee morale and job satisfaction, and lower your employee turnover rate. In addition, the enhanced communication that a telework program fosters can further develop your own skills as a manager.

It is important to note that performance standards for teleworking employees must be the same as performance standards for non-teleworking employees. Management expectations for performance should be clearly addressed in the employee's performance plan, and the performance plan should be reviewed to ensure the standards do not create inequities or inconsistencies between teleworking and non-teleworking employees. Like non-teleworking employees, teleworkers are held accountable for the results they produce. Good performance management techniques practiced by the manager will mean a smoother, easier transition to a telework environment.

Sometimes teleworking does not work. If a teleworker's quality of work declines, treat it as you would any performance issue. Review the telework agreement and give your employees a chance to improve. Your telework agreement should include a clause stating that either the manager or the employee can cancel the telework agreement for operational or performance issues.

The General Services Administration (GSA) provides guidelines for implementing and operating telework and other alternative workplace programs through the efficient and effective use of information technology and telecommunication. Additionally, GSA provides basic recommendations for the equipment and support that an agency may provide teleworkers.
For more information, go to the GSA Guidelines for Alternative Workplace Arrangements. For more information about your agency equipment policy for telework, please consult your agency telework policy or telework coordinator.

This is a common myth, but implemented properly, a telework program should not cause any extra work for non-teleworkers. Teleworking and non-teleworking employees must understand expectations regarding telework arrangements including coverage, communications and responsibilities. Also, managers should avoid distributing work based on “availability” by physical presence to avoid unfairly burdening coworkers who do not telework. Keep in mind good performance management practices are essential for telework to be effective and equitable. For more guidance on performance management, please see OPM's Performance Management page.

Yes, OPM offers a Governmentwide telework training program for managers on our website. Additionally, individual agencies have the option of offering their own on-line or classroom based telework training tailored to their organizations. In addition to the training for managers offered on our website, there is also specialized training available through OPM's Eastern and Western Management Development Centers. Details on the Development Centers and course schedules can be found at the Center for Leadership Development's website.

There should be no significant difference between managing the performance of a teleworker and managing the employee who works in the office. Each employee should be appraised against his or her performance standard(s), despite location.

According to the law, among other responsibilities, the TMO "shall be devoted to policy development and implementation related to agency telework programs" and is to "serve as an advisor for agency leadership, including the Chief Human Capital Officer" and is to be "a resource for managers and employees." Since the intent of the Act is to encourage the maximum use of telework by Federal employees, given the duties described in the law, it would be appropriate for the TMO to advise agency management and leadership about the feasibility of denying telework participation to employees in an office. Of course, situations will vary and the TMO will need to take into account all of the facts that went into such a decision as well as potential opportunities for a synergistic approach to telework given the circumstances.

Yes. OPM provides interactive, online telework training courses for both managers and employees, free of charge. Training for managers is also available through OPM’s Eastern and Western Management Development Centers. Details on the Development Centers and course schedules can be found at OPM's Center for Leadership Development page.

The TMO designation is new with the passage of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. The TMO is a single person at each agency who is ultimately accountable for that agency's telework program. This position is meant to be a high-level advisor to the agency leadership, a resource on telework issues for managers and employees, and is responsible for policy development and implementation related to the agency's telework program.
The way agencies implemented telework before the law was passed was that each agency had a "Telework Coordinator" at the Department/Agency level (e.g., Department of Homeland Security), and also individual "telework coordinators" at the subagency/subcomponent level (e.g., Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration, etc.). Whenever OPM would require agency-wide information on telework such as for the annual aggregate data collected on telework participation, it would work with the single point of contact at the Department/Agency-level. The agency-wide coordinator would then work with his/her subcomponent "coordinators" to gather the information for their respective areas and then would tally everything to submit the data in a single report to OPM on behalf of the entire agency.
The TMO position more closely resembles what was formerly the Department-level "Telework Coordinator." This means the role within an agency of pulling together information on telework from various internal sources and then reporting to OPM now falls on the TMO. However, the responsibilities of the TMO extend beyond operational day-to-day aspects of telework and delve more into policy, advising, and an overarching management of the entire telework program for his/her agency.
Agencies have discretion to determine whether or not, or how, they will continue to utilize "telework coordinators" to implement the day-to-day aspects of the agency telework program subject to the oversight of the TMO. The bottom line, however, is that each agency will have only one individual, the TMO, who is the single accountable person according to the law for the agency's telework program. In other words, when OPM contacts any given agency in the future to either request or disseminate information on Federal telework, we will contact the TMO. It will then be up to the TMO to coordinate internally with other staff members assisting with operational telework issues in that agency. Human Resources staff or agency employees that have questions or issues about telework should be encouraged to direct their concerns to the agency's TMO or the TMO’s designee.